Why Invest in Coventry?

Setting up a successful foreign owned business in Coventry

The University of Warwick Science Park and UK Market Access programme is a single access point to support, information and services to assist foreign owned businesses in establishing an operation in the UK in a cost effective way. The programme offers a growth package that provides various services free of charge, six month office space rent free at Riley Court at the University of Warwick Science Park, marketing and networking support and discounts on various professional services.

From September 2010 and continuing until 5 September 2013, newly established businesses can enjoy a national insurance holiday from the first £5,000 of Employers National Insurance Contributions paid to the first 10 employees who start in the company for the first 12 months that they are employed. This is potentially worth £50,000 to a new company.

All companies qualify with the exception of those established in the South, South East and London. However, companies can still have employees in these areas, but the main business, Registered Office and main trading address must be outside the excluded regions.

There are provisions to prevent artificial transactions which would generate a claim as you would expect, and certain personal service companies sometime set up for nannies and similar are excluded.

For more information on setting up a successful foreign owned business in Coventry, please visit

For more information on employee relocation to the city, refer to our Relocation Support section.

View our Coventry and Warwickshire Inward Investment Magazine 2012.